Public meetings banned in Colombo

The Lankan Govt has also imposed a ban on demonstrations in the capital, writes PK Balachandran.

The Sri Lankan government on Thursday banned all public meetings and demonstrations in the capital city of Colombo, until further notice.

The step had been taken to "ensure the safety of the general public," a statement from the President's office said.

The government was apparently worried that the LTTE's bid on the life of the Army Commander Lt Gen Fonseka on April 25, and the subsequent Air Force strikes against the LTTE in the Eastern district of Trincomalee, might incite communal tension in the capital.

The government on Wednesday assured the public that it was fully in control of the situation and would do everything needed to safeguard national security and the lives and properties of all the peoples and communities of Sri Lanka.

Colombo has remained calm right through the trying period.

But Trincomalee saw violence from April 12 onwards, topped by the air strikes on LTTE installations in Sampur across China Bay on Tuesday and Wednesday.